Devils Tower, Wyoming

As we rode towards Hulett, Wyoming to see Devils Tower we wondered if we would be able to easily spot it from the highway.  Would it be down some long, lonely road hidden by mountains, or not? As a tourist, there is so much rock and sandstone that I'm not sure what to expect.  It is amazing and beautiful and as soon as I think the land is all flat, there's a rocky ridge with a cliff that is deeper than I can see.

I love how hot and dry the air is.  No allergies out here, the air is fresh but dry enough to leave a feel of sediment from the wind blowing. I love the climate.

As we rode we saw the signs first telling us that we are on the right path.  Devils Tower is on this route.  Suddenly we could see it in the distance.  The landscape is so simple, that it was impossible to miss.  As we got closer we had to pull over at a rest stop to take some photos.  Wow. It was just like on TV.

When we got really close, it felt much different and less mysterious.  Driving in, we passed the campground first.  They actually show the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind every night there.  How cheezy yet appropriate.  Then we passed the gift shops and souvenir shops along the road.  There were plenty of trinkets and baubles to buy, even Harley shirts.  So we will be stopping to pick some up on our way out.

We decided to hike all the way around it.  The paved trail is 1 and 3/10 miles long.  An easy walk.  Along the trail we saw climbers scaling the side of the monument.  The park rangers explained that you have to be a certified climber to be allowed up there and it was always busy. It was amazing to see these people just hanging on the totally vertical sides. 

The wildlife and vegetation was exactly what I expected.  Large pines and cottonwoods dotted the landscape and there was plenty of sagebrush all around.  I loved watching the prairie dogs bob up and down from their burrows.  Lots of them were popping their little heads up to greet us.

There were these little pieces of fabric hanging from the bushes and trees.  A sign read not to disturb them. They were American Indian prayer cloths placed there by natives who believe the tower to be sacred.  They were beautiful and fascinating.